If you’re living in France, one of the most important things to sort out is healthcare. Normally, healthcare reimbursements in France are processed through the Carte Vitale, a green card that connects you to the French social security system. But what if you don’t have one yet? Don’t worry! You can still get reimbursed for your medical expenses, even without a Carte Vitale. Today, we explain you how you can navigate the process !
What is the Carte Vitale? 💳
The Carte Vitale is a card that serves as proof of your enrollment in the French national health insurance system (la Sécurité Sociale). It simplifies the reimbursement process for medical expenses, as it’s automatically connected to social security. However, new arrivals and certain foreign residents might not receive this card right away, which is why knowing how to get reimbursed without a Carte Vitale is important.
Just so you know, not everyone need to register to the Social Security while studying in France.
How to Get Reimbursed Without a Carte Vitale 📄
1. Pay for Your Treatment Upfront
If you don’t have a Carte Vitale, you will need to pay for your medical treatments upfront. In France, this includes doctor’s visits, prescriptions, lab tests, and even hospital stays.
2. Ask for a Feuille de Soins (Care Sheet)
After receiving treatment, ask the doctor, dentist, or healthcare provider for a Feuille de Soins. This is a detailed receipt that serves as proof of your medical expenses. It is absolutely crucial for getting reimbursed without a Carte Vitale. Always double-check that all the information, including your name, the date, the provider’s details, and the treatment costs, are correct.
3. Attach Required Documents
Along with the Feuille de Soins, you’ll also need to attach supporting documents, such as:
- Copies of your identity documents.
- Proof of residence (if applicable).
- Your temporary or permanent Social Security Number if you have it.
4. Send the Documents to the CPAM
Once you’ve gathered everything, send your completed reimbursement form and Feuille de Soins to your local CPAM office. You can do this by post or sometimes drop it off in person. You can find which CPAM is related to you in your Ameli Account on “Adresse et contacts”.
5. Wait for Reimbursement
Reimbursements can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of the claim. Payments are typically made via bank transfer, so make sure your bank details are correctly provided to avoid delays.
Reimbursement Without Carte Vitale with EHIC 🌍
If you’re European, you might have access to reimbursements without a Carte Vitale through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Make sure to present your EHIC when seeking treatment, but even without one, you can follow the same process above..
FAQs About Reimbursements Without a Carte Vitale ❓
Yes! You can still be reimbursed for medical expenses by submitting a Feuille de Soins to the CPAM.
Reimbursement without a Carte Vitale can take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the complexity of the claim and the processing time at your local CPAM.
A Feuille de Soins is a medical expense receipt. It’s essential for requesting healthcare reimbursement when you don’t have a Carte Vitale.
Yes, reimbursements are typically made via bank transfer, so it’s helpful to have a French bank account to speed up the process. We explain you how to get one in this article !
If you lose your Feuille de Soins, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider and request a duplicate. Without it, you won’t be able to claim a reimbursement from CPAM.
Dare&Go
The ally of international students in France.
Our latest articles :
HAVE A QUESTION ?
NEED HELP ?
Contact us ! We’re here to assist you for your life in France ?
OUR LATEST ARTICLES :
WANT MORE TIPS & INFOS TO STUDY IN FRANCE ?
Subscribe to our Newsletter to never miss any infos or news !!